June Frances Farwell

June Frances Sanders Farwell was born August 28, 1946 in Anaconda Montana. Raised on her family’s beloved ranch on the Rock Creek in Philipsburg, Montana, June learned the importance of hard work and family early. Her childhood was filled with school, adventures on her horse around the ranch, and doing everything it took to help keep the ranch running – from daily chores to driving tractors to helping feed the hay crews. June’s eyes would always light up when she was back home in her P-Burg, sharing her stories with her friends, children and grandchildren. She took great delight in bringing her family to all of her special spots on the ranch.

June graduated from Granite High School in 1964 and then attended the University of Montana where she met her future husband Don Farwell. June graduated in 1970 with a BS Degree in Business Administration with minors in Business Education and Office Administration. June and Don married July 25th, 1970 and began their great adventure. They moved around Washington State with stops in Forks and Colville as Don worked for the Department of Natural Resources. They eventually settled in Sultan in 1973. June and Don raised children Jennifer and Jess to be deeply involved in the Sky Valley community. The family participated in community events, played youth and adult soccer, and were tied tightly to the Sultan School District where June worked for 34 years.

June was deeply proud of her work in the Sultan Elementary Computer Lab, where she partnered with a corporation to test new technology and created curriculums to help launch her students’ long term success. June loved to prove people wrong when they assumed old ladies didn’t know computers! After Don’s passing from Leukemia, June expanded her volunteering with the Sultan Education Foundation, creating a scholarship in honor of Don Farwell. June was incredibly passionate about education.

June loved gardening, canning, chasing deer out of her orchard, and most of all her granddaughters. June spent countless hours watching their sports, helping with homework, teaching sewing, and always listening. She knew her kids’ and grandkids’ friends and was known as the Granny that came to all of their games.

June passed on December 13, 2022, just 29 days after being diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. She was surrounded by her family and knew she was loved. She was a stable presence in so many people’s lives and her loss is profound. June will be laid to rest in her beloved Montana. June is survived by her daughter Jennifer, her son Jess [Julie] and granddaughters Katherine and Lillian.

Remembrances can be made to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, for all the care they gave her beloved Don, or the Sultan Education Foundation.